I no longer pay to secure my PCs and my home wireless network.  I used to — and the software I used were very good — but I found that I could save money by installing a combination of highly-rated security applications that are free.

Antivirus: AVG Free

I’ve been running this on my PC’s for a couple of years now and I am impressed by home much is included in the free package:

• Anti-VirusA computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer. A true virus can spread from one computer to another (in some form of executable code) when its host is taken to the target computer; for instance because a user sent it over a network or the Internet, or carried it on a removable medium such as a floppy disk, CD, DVD, or USB drive. , Anti-SpywareSpyware is a type of application that is installed on computers and collects little bits of information at a time about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user, and can be difficult to detect. Spyware programs can collect various types of personal information, such as Internet surfing habits and sites that have been visited, but can also interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as installing additional software and redirecting Web browser activity., Smart Anti-RootkitOnce a malicious program is installed on a system, it is essential that it stays concealed, to avoid detection and disinfection. The same is true when a human attacker breaks into a computer directly. Techniques known as rootkits allow this concealment, by modifying the host's operating system so that the malware is hidden from the user. Rootkits can prevent a malicious process from being visible in the system's list of processes, or keep its files from being read.: keeps out and prevents the spread of even the toughest viruses or spywareSpyware is a type of application that is installed on computers and collects little bits of information at a time about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user, and can be difficult to detect. Spyware programs can collect various types of personal information, such as Internet surfing habits and sites that have been visited, but can also interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as installing additional software and redirecting Web browser activity.
• AVG LinkScanner: Checks web pages in real time before they are visited, and displays safety ratings in search results
• AVG Social Networking Protection: Providing exactly what it says in its name

SpywareSpyware is a type of application that is installed on computers and collects little bits of information at a time about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user, and can be difficult to detect. Spyware programs can collect various types of personal information, such as Internet surfing habits and sites that have been visited, but can also interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as installing additional software and redirecting Web browser activity. Protection: Spybot Search & Destroy

I am never sure whether all spywareSpyware is a type of application that is installed on computers and collects little bits of information at a time about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user, and can be difficult to detect. Spyware programs can collect various types of personal information, such as Internet surfing habits and sites that have been visited, but can also interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as installing additional software and redirecting Web browser activity. is going to be detected and removed by any one application, so I also keep a copy of Spybot Search & Destroy running on my computers as well. It detects and notifies you if it uncovers spywareSpyware is a type of application that is installed on computers and collects little bits of information at a time about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user, and can be difficult to detect. Spyware programs can collect various types of personal information, such as Internet surfing habits and sites that have been visited, but can also interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as installing additional software and redirecting Web browser activity., it will not allow applets to be installed (e.g., toolbars) without getting permission, it will not allow the registry to be secretly changed without permission. It:

• removes adwareAdware is free software that is supported by advertisements. Common adware programs are toolbars that sit on your desktop or work in conjunction with your Web browser., spywareSpyware is a type of application that is installed on computers and collects little bits of information at a time about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user, and can be difficult to detect. Spyware programs can collect various types of personal information, such as Internet surfing habits and sites that have been visited, but can also interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as installing additional software and redirecting Web browser activity., and keyloggers
• removes trojans and other baddies (tho I rely on my antivirus to take the lead)
• removes usage tracksUsage tracks are your fingerprints in your system. Whenever you visit a page with your browser, or just open any file, that information is stored deep inside Windows. But in some cases you may want to hide your activity, because spywareSpyware is a type of application that is installed on computers and collects little bits of information at a time about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user, and can be difficult to detect. Spyware programs can collect various types of personal information, such as Internet surfing habits and sites that have been visited, but can also interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as installing additional software and redirecting Web browser activity., internet attackers -- even your boss -- may use that information to track your activity.
• permanently blocks threatening ActiveX downloads

FirewallA firewall is a part of a computer system or network that is designed to block unauthorized access while permitting authorized communications. It can be software, hardware or both working in tandem
: ZoneAlarm

I use the ZoneAlarm firewallA firewall is a part of a computer system or network that is designed to block unauthorized access while permitting authorized communications. It can be software, hardware or both working in tandem
, because Microsoft’s firewallA firewall is a part of a computer system or network that is designed to block unauthorized access while permitting authorized communications. It can be software, hardware or both working in tandem
security still leave something to be desired.  This free versionis designed to be used alongside an antivirus program, and though it provides both inbound and outbound protection, perhaps its strongest benefit is the outbound firewallA firewall is a part of a computer system or network that is designed to block unauthorized access while permitting authorized communications. It can be software, hardware or both working in tandem
.
An inbound firewallA firewall is a part of a computer system or network that is designed to block unauthorized access while permitting authorized communications. It can be software, hardware or both working in tandem
blocks threats coming in from the outside, but an outbound firewallA firewall is a part of a computer system or network that is designed to block unauthorized access while permitting authorized communications. It can be software, hardware or both working in tandem
does more than prevent a computer from spreading viruses and malwareMalware, short for malicious software, is software designed to infiltrate a computer system without the owner's informed consent. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code. to others.  For example, if your PC has been compromised by a botnetA botnet or robot network is a group of computers running computers infected with the malicious kind of robot software that act in tandem at the direction of whoever infect them all., outbound protection will stop it from sending your data back to its host servers. It can also stop program spoofing, which is when a malicious program pretends to be a good one, and IP spoofing, which is when harmful network transmissions mask themselves as safe ones.

I personally think this is the Trifecta of Security. If you get a REALLY nasty virusA computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer. A true virus can spread from one computer to another (in some form of executable code) when its host is taken to the target computer; for instance because a user sent it over a network or the Internet, or carried it on a removable medium such as a floppy disk, CD, DVD, or USB drive. or trojanIn broad terms, a Trojan horse is any program that invites the user to run it, concealing a harmful or malicious payload., you might have to upgrade to a fee-based version, but so far (knock wood), this has not happened to me.